Weekend at Kapiti Coast

A drive of 60kms on Friday took us to our destination for the weekend Caravan Club rally, up to Paraparaumu on the Kapiti Coast.  We were staying at the rather grandly named Kapiti Holiday Resort, which caters mainly for long term permanent tenants.  There are a small number of sites available for casual travellers, or small weekend groups like our caravan club.

Entrance to Kapiti Holiday Resort

Each site has separate facilities attached – a basic small shed with a toilet and shower.  The separate bays are sheltered by extremely dense macrocapa hedges.  Down the end of the camp there is also a small communal kitchen and laundry available for residents.

Our site with our own ablution block

The weekend weather was fine but very cold and windy. On Friday afternoon  three of us decided to get a little exercise and take a walk along the beach, suitably garbed against the cold wind in our jackets and woolly hats.  The beach was just across the road from the camp, and a brisk walk would be just the thing to chase the cobwebs away.

Bill and Robin ready for a walk along the beach

An Aloe Vera plant (I think) on the path to the beach

We walked through the sand dunes down to the beach, and Kapiti Island lay straight ahead.  Once the stronghold of feared Maori warrior Te Rauparaha in the 1800s, the island was also home to visiting whalers. They established themselves on Kapiti and the three islets where they set up seven whaling stations. By about 1846 whaling was no longer profitable and the whalers moved away, leaving behind several large whaling pots.  These days Kapiti Island is a bird sanctuary and visitors can enjoy day trips and learn about the fascinating history of this island from the wardens.   

Kapiti Island in the sunshine

Houses with a glorious sea view looked out at the island, but we wondered how safe they were so close to the beach with the heavy seas continually eroding the coast line.  They might well have a nice view, but these houses would be well out of our price range, we decided.

Sea front properties

A trip to Lindale Farm Kitchen was proposed for afternoon tea on Saturday.  As to be expected, all the womenfolk thought this was a great idea, after all, what could be nicer that a latte or cappuccino?  Accordingly, we pooled cars and travelled a couple of miles down the road.  Just as well that I wasn’t driving as I was sure that to get to our destination we should be turning right and not left onto State Highway One.  “That’s why I’m the driver and you are the passenger”, Robin told me firmly.  I’m the first to admit that I sometimes have trouble with navigation!

We all enjoyed our afternoon tea

Saturday evening saw the keen rugby supporters in our club go down to the Kapiti Club for a meal and to watch the game on the big screen TV.  This important game in the Tri Nations series was between arch rivals New Zealand All Blacks and Australian Wallabies, and yes, we were victorious. Thank goodness for that, or the men would be in mourning!